UCF to help pay tribute to service, sacrifice of veterans

Florida school among 3 awarded VA contracts for research, community education

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The University of Central Florida is one of three universities awarded contracts by the Department of Veterans Affairs to help pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of veterans by researching and sharing local history found in VA national cemeteries.

VA awarded a total of $672,573 to UCF, San Francisco State University and Black Hills State University. All three schools will conduct research at their local VA national cemeteries and produce educational material for K-12 schools and the general public -- in an effort to promote community engagement with veterans' history.

"The award of these three contracts signifies the VA National Cemetery Administration's (NCA) dedication and commitment to providing enhanced memorialization and lasting tributes that commemorate the service and sacrifice of Veterans," said Interim Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Ronald E. Walters.

The initial contracts are the first of many planned initiatives to engage educators, students, researchers and the general public through NCA's Veterans Legacy Program.